DodgerFan

My port is very much "right there". And I think some of my stitching has come undone and I can lay on my back, lift my hips and it flips ip and out like an alien. ( pics on my blog somewhere)

So no yoga in public for me but it's a sacrifice I gladly make to be at a healthy weight.

I used to keep papaya enzymes in my purse but was never stuck long enough to really decide if they work. I've heard a sip of pineapple juice will help break food down too.

If you're one of us bandsters who doesn't drink soda, you could try a small swig of that. Someone recommended that to me to kind of churn the food. It's worked a few times.

Anytime I get stuck, especially if it ends upwards and not downwards, I do liquids and mushies for the next meal or two. It helps relieve any swelling I may have had or caused.

I think mine was between 3-4 weeks. Be glad for it, it'll help ward off the impending "bandster hell".

I fall victim to my own head as well. The nights I do best are when I plan what I'm going to have. It's nice to look forward to that one thing and it keeps me focused. (For me it's usually pudding, skinny cow, wine, or something salty and crunchy.)

Can't help with what it feels like but maybe try a day of liquids and a day of mushies...just in case it's swelling from something you ate or PB'd.

Yeah, my pharmacist warned me but I already knew from c-sections...all of the good pain meds do that. It's hardly worth it. I took a couple doses (I had liquid Lortab post-op) for the first couple days. I think I healed quicker for it though.

But yeah, stool softeners are a must. I even took one the night before surgery. Pharmacist said it'd be ok.

When was your last fill?

I should add that I've had two unfills. Both times, after my fill I was able to drink fine but tried mushy food too soon and PB'd. Within 3 days or so I couldn't keep Water down so I went in for unfills. Ever since I realized my body needs more time than normal for swelling to go down, I've had 4 or 5 fills with no problems.

Good luck.

Cindy's reply is exactly my suggestion too.

You swell after a fill and you swell after a PB. If you never let the swelling go down (which it doesn't if you PB every day), you can't really gauge you're at. My doc requires just 24 hours of liquids after a fill but I've learned that personally, I need mushies for a few days too.

You just had abdominal surgery, of course it hurts. Don't forget your insides were manipulated too, not just your incision sites. You'll heal, don't worry.

I didn't like Pure Protein powder but I don't mind the pre-mix cans. So I think maybe I'm just not a powder fan.

I must say though, in my experience so far, it kinda seems like you get what pay for.

Some vitamin/supplement retail shops sell sample sizes. Call around.

I don't pay too much attention to the scale at the doctor's office. I just ask how much I've lost since the previous visit.

I only change my ticker to reflect new lows. I always bounce back up after a new low but I don't stress, it always settles back down.

Ah, the beauty of the band.

Pre-band, after countless hours on LBT, I still didn't feel like I had a good grasp of what day-to-day is like with the band. So naturally, I turned to blog stalking. I was so inspired, I too, started my own.

Gloria, your blog looks great and I'll definitely be checking out bandedliving.com.

Also, my sister just did a seminar with Dr. Billy. Do you have a professional association with his office now? Either way, I'm hoping I can get your book for my sis for Christmas.

The rumbling is your belly empty. You must stay on your instructed diet but eventually, when you can eat, that'll take care of the rumbles. Meanwhile, embrace them, it means you're skrinking!

Feeling the band in there goes away once you heal. You may feel it a bit when you get fills but it's not painful.

My surgeon used 5 incisicions and can see my port lump when I suck in or lay on my back. He explained that he used to put the ports in deeper but it seemed to cause more problems reaching it for fills and stuff. At this point, I'd have preferred the old way but heck, I weigh less than I did in high school so I ain't really complaining!

Best of luck!

Usually just coffee wtih flavored Creamer. If I get hungry before 11 though, I have a bowl of low sugar Quaker Instant oatmeal.

But this morning, I feel like you caught me. I just ate a brownie. WHY ARE THESE IN MY HOUSE? Going in the trash, right now!!

I have a hard time differentiating between hungry and simply not full/content. As soon as I don't feel full, I want to eat. I know I don't need to, I want to. I have to make a consious decision not to.

You named your post "Question on Being Full" and not "Question on Being Hungry" so I think maybe we're in the same boat.

Our bands are at about the same volume right now. Although everyone's different, it's still lower than the seemingly average "sweet spot". I can only get fills every 6 weeks and just got one a week ago. I already have an appointment scheduled. In the meantime, smart snacking (or living without) is the name of my game.

Mmmm Malibu and Crystal Light. (I'd use vodka but I'm a little allergic.) When I'm out, it's Malibu and cranberry. Although I've ordered Malibu and Water when I have a Crystal Light single on me. Can't beat an occasional margarita though!

Go slow your first time drinking post-op, you're now a cheap date for food and drinks.

We all can't be lazy and crazy. Thanks so much for the encouragement.

You are your best advocate.

Congrats to you both and good luck on your journeys!

It's been amazing for me.

I had 7 cc's removed from my 10-12cc band when I was having chest pain. Once the doc determined I was ok to get filled back up, he started with 5.5. Going in today and hoping for another 1.5.

Doctors can vary like crazy though. I'm starting to wonder if some do small fills just so they can bill more. :laugh:

Yes I have gotten 5 or 6 fills but I only have about 3cc in a 10cc band. In order to get a fill I feel like I have to beg and pleed. I feel if I'm not losing I should get a fill. But when I told the PA in the office that I really don't feel restriction because I can eat 3 solid pieces of chicken (2thighs and 1 drumstick) and still not feel full and be hungry 2 hours later, she told my I need psych help. So I didn't go to the office for over 1 year. I am scheduled to see them in December. What makes it worst is now I am out of the country for school and its making things even harder.

3cc's in a 10 is a drop in the bucket. If your story is as you describe, I highly suggest finding somewhere else to get your fills. It might take a few adjustments though, most will only do 1-3 cc's at a time, every 4-6 weeks. The band is an amazing tool, sorry you haven't been able to use it yet.

Renee, I had to get creative. I got my weight history from a mix of my OB/Gyn, my Nutrisystem web profile and Sparkpeople. If you've ever done Weight Watchers, ask them for records.

I like Premier Protein from costco.

Also, those Pure Protein ones someone posted about, wanted to share that those can also be found at Trader Joe's.

I have Aetna and started with a BMI of 38.5 (I think, check my ticker). I had acid reflux for years (proof from perscription history) and had a sleep study done. The tech wrote that I have mild sleep apnea and her recommended treatment is weight loss.

Approved on the first try. Whew.

Good luck!

Non-chunky Soup is always my go-to at restaurants. It's great for after fills or anytime, the easiest way to guaranty no stuck episodes.

Going to parties with lots of appetizers, don't eat anything. Sounds extreme but honestly, it's the best way to keep from careless grazing and getting blindsided. I'm not saying I do this all the time, but post-fill for sure. And it's easier than it sounds.

Good luck.